Lessons from Holding a Child in My Arms

Over more than a decade, I have given birth to and taken care of five beautiful daughters. If there is anything that I want to remember when I grow old, it is the time that I spent raising them. I look back and see the sleepless nights, the back-breaking cleaning and endless laundry, and the silence and order that weren’t always possible. These things seem never ending! But now I am being told that it is not safe for me to have another baby, and a feeling of longing often overwhelms me. Having a child in my arms is the way I have pictured myself ever since I was a young woman. I have always wanted to be a mother and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to be one. I want to hold all my children in my arms forever, but they grow up fast and the years pass by even faster. I have realized through the years that I have learned most of what I need to know about parenting from holding a child in my arms.

Little children teach us valuable lessons in life.

Time Flies so Fast

All the sleepless nights spent feeding, changing diapers, and putting children to sleep felt like forever. Not to mention the meals that needed to be prepared, dishes to be washed, laundry to be done – all these things made me ask, “When will all this stop? Because the truth is, these things are breaking my back and I am so tired.” However, when I looked at my eldest daughter and realized she is going to be a teenager soon, I got confused. Wasn’t it just a while ago that she was still my little girl? Then I felt in my heart a sharp pang of regret. I should have held her more often. I should have kissed her endlessly. The nights are long when you have children. It’s true. But the years are short and if we miss any chance to be there in their lives and having them in ours – we are missing a lot!

Time is more valuable because they grow up so fast.

Hold Close What is Important

I used to feel very frustrated when nothing seemed done at the end of the day because all I did was carry my baby. That feeling that you need to fold the clothes or finish something up in the kitchen, but you have your hands cuffed by a six-month-old – it is really discouraging! I even complained to my Father that I did not get anything done around the house. His wise answer was, “You are already doing the most important task you have.” Holding a child in my arms made me realize that this is why babies need to be carried and held close. It is because they are more important that any other thing that we need to do. So hold your little ones. Carry them close to your heart and smell their breath and savor the sweet smell of their head.

Little children deserve the best of us – time, energy, love.

If You Want to Feel Loved and Needed, Care for a Child

Remember how it feels when a child looks at you with puppy eyes? Or when they scream and kick to get what they want from you? A lot of people in the world today struggle with their self-worth. But if you are taking care of children, you will always feel needed and loved. You will know you need to get up in the morning because someone is depending on you. When babies cry, you can’t help but cater to their needs. You somehow forget yourself and rise to the challenge of unselfish service. Then when their cries turn to smiles and giggles, we get the best compensation there is – we feel loved. Children have that magic in them, and it always works.

The sacrifices we give to take care of a child is reciprocated by feeling loved and needed – a boost to self-worth.

You Hold the Future in Your Hands

No matter how fragile they may look now, they are the leaders of the future. We may not leave a grand legacy when we die, but in them we can plant the seeds of a better tomorrow. The little hands that cling to our hair and knock down glasses and bowls will soon build families and communities. The little mouths that scream and drool will sing future songs and proclaim truth and justice. Their small and delicate bodies will soon grow to the mold that is their spirit and in no time, they will shape the world that we will be living in. “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world” so they say. Carrying a child in my arms made me feel optimistic about the future. It gave me a greater purpose and motivation to do better and be better as a mother.

These little ones will grow up to be the legacy we leave behind.

I used to wonder why Heavenly Father made us go through birth and childhood when, in all His power, He could send us to Earth as full-grown human beings. The answers became clearer with each child I held. Through the process we learn, line upon line and grow and develop not just physically but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. The experience is a total learning syllabus. These little ones have no idea that, in the process, they are teaching valuable life lessons to unsuspecting parents. So with all my heart, learn from your little ones. Carry a child in your arms and feel the presence of a loving Father in Heaven who trusts us enough to let us take care of His spirit children. It is such a humbling yet rewarding experience!

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Commitment to our highest priority﻿—to love and serve God﻿—requires that we look to His law for our standard of behavior. For example, we remain under divine command not to commit adultery or fornication even when those acts are no longer crimes under the laws of the states or countries where we reside. Similarly, laws legalizing so-called “same-sex marriage” do not change God’s law of marriage or His commandments and our standards concerning it. We remain under covenant to love God and keep His commandments and to refrain from serving other gods and priorities﻿—even those becoming popular in our particular time and place.

In this determination we may be misunderstood, and we may incur accusations of bigotry, suffer discrimination, or have to withstand invasions of our free exercise of religion. If so, I think we should remember our first priority﻿—to serve God﻿—and, like our pioneer predecessors, push our personal handcarts forward with the same fortitude they exhibited. — Dallin H Oaks

Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose. Thinking small about ourselves does not serve us well. Instead it holds us back. As we’ve often been taught, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” We can stop comparing our worst to someone else’s best. “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

In contrast, the Lord assures us that when we have virtuous thoughts, He will bless us with confidence, even the confidence to know who we really are. There’s never been a more crucial time to heed His words. “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly,” He said. “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and … the Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.” — Joy D. Jones

"Now, if you have stepped off the path, may I invite you with all the hope in my heart to please come back. Whatever your concerns, whatever your challenges, there is a place for you in this, the Lord’s Church. You and generations yet unborn will be blessed by your actions now to return to the covenant path. Our Father in Heaven cherishes His children, and He wants each of us to return home to Him. This is a grand goal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints﻿—to help each of us to come back home." — President Russell M Nelson

I used to be that typical teenager who gives my parents headache, letting them worry what time I will be coming home, where am I and who am I with. I used to hang out with friends and do things that I thought before, was the definition of happiness.

When I was about to graduate from college, I experienced how it felt to be lost, scared, and sad for no exact reason. I got tired of feeling helpless until one day I decided to go back to church and from there I started reading the Book of Mormon, attend church activities and institute classes. I was called to be a primary teacher, a ward missionary and a YSA representative.

I have felt the security that I've been looking for by obeying God's commandments and serving His people. I have felt pure joy. I have felt the love and welcoming arms of our Heavenly Father and His son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

It just feels great being honest with your own mistakes. As a result of acknowledging this, we grow in faith and we begin to change how we think and do. Despite the wrong turns I made, my Savior was there to lift me up. I've learned that many times God doesn't reveal things to you until you become obedient.

He knows that transitioning from the past habits is never easy. I just had to take one small steps each time going towards Him. The closer I get, the more I realize I didn't want to fall back to my old ways. I realized that He had put the rules in place not to punish us, but to protect us.

Sin is one small step after another that takes us away from God. But our Father loves us so much that He made a way out. He gave us His Son to atone for the debts we can never pay. He wants only the best for us and that is, a life full of joy.

Alma the Younger gave me hope that it doesn't matter who you used to be but what matters is who and what you're becoming through the help of Jesus Christ. The Gospel has truly changed not only my life but also the people around me. I am blessed to understand the Plan of Happiness and I want to do my best to invite others to come and know for themselves that this church is true.

- Bianca Mangiliman
Bicutan Ward, Taguig Philippines Stake
Called to serve in Utah, St. George Mission

When I received my mission call, some of my friends shouted for joy. I share with them the same feeling and I'm happy to serve a full-time mission and represent Jesus Christ.

I'm excited to invite others to come unto Christ, teach them the importance of repentance and share them the blessings of the Atonement. I also know that families can be together forever and I'd love to share that message to all the world.

I'm assigned to labor in Korea Seoul South Mission. I always remind myself that it's not where you serve but how you serve the people in that place. I always have that wonderful feeling in my heart for the people in South Korea. I admit that I'm hooked with some Korean TV series and other shows ever since it became a trend.

I know that blessings will come to me and to my family as I "go where He wants me to go and do what He wants me to do". I know the Lord won't forget us. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. I know the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel can change you to become better. 사랑해요

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